Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
12
↓
Thinking of getting a guide dog. (self.Blind)
submitted 8y ago by coolfurrcats
Does anyone have any helpful tips or information about having and getting a guide dog. I am legally blind, but still have some vision. I plan on moving to Colorado before Christmas and I've heard there are facilities there to start the process.
bondolo 4 points
You should talk to the admissions departments of various service dog schools and people who have recently trained with those schools to learn more about the process and what to expect.
For example, there is no requirement that you be totally blind. Many eye conditions such as nightblindness, rod-cone dystrophy, lack of central vision, and others that do not involve total blindness can still benefit from a guide dog.
For example, there is no requirement that you be totally blind. Many eye conditions such as nightblindness, rod-cone dystrophy, lack of central vision, and others that do not involve total blindness can still benefit from a guide dog.
cerealcable 3 points
Definitely this. Ask friends who have dogs and get their personal experiences about that particular school. Not all of them are equal and their results can vary greatly.
Compare them and make sure you get what will fit the best for you personally. There are a lot of guide dog schools in the US, all of them will be willing to help you. You should not just randomly pick one and hope for the best. Inform yourself and then choose after carefully looking into multiple schools.
Also, most require some form of mobility training before a guide would be allowed. Guide Dog schools teach you how to use a tool, the dog. They do not teach you how to effectively get around and such. They expect you've already got that handled.
Compare them and make sure you get what will fit the best for you personally. There are a lot of guide dog schools in the US, all of them will be willing to help you. You should not just randomly pick one and hope for the best. Inform yourself and then choose after carefully looking into multiple schools.
Also, most require some form of mobility training before a guide would be allowed. Guide Dog schools teach you how to use a tool, the dog. They do not teach you how to effectively get around and such. They expect you've already got that handled.
bondolo 3 points
> Not all of them are equal and their results can vary greatly.
Not to contradict you in any way, but it is worth mentioning that all of the major schools have changed significantly not just in training methods but also support offered, personnel and leadership over the last 15 years. I would not go by any information by more than a couple of years old.
Not to contradict you in any way, but it is worth mentioning that all of the major schools have changed significantly not just in training methods but also support offered, personnel and leadership over the last 15 years. I would not go by any information by more than a couple of years old.
cerealcable 1 points
You're absolutely correct. I know since I started a few years ago raising that it was an constant state of change with both schools. The recent push in guide dog training is reward based and moving towards positive reinforcement as well. It's really made a big impact on what kind of a dog you get as a result.
One thing is certain is that there will be constant change in training techniques and the quality from that.
One thing is certain is that there will be constant change in training techniques and the quality from that.
geoffisblind 2 points
So I have actually had my home visit for one school and have an application out for another school. I am in a similar boat, I have some vision but my O&M encouraged me to seek a dog because of the speed I'm looking to attain that a cane just does not provide. I actually had a chance to trial run a dog and LOVED it. It is so much better than a cane in every way, for me. It definitely is not for everyone, if you like having tactile awareness then you will lose that with a dog. For me tactile awareness isn't as important as speed. I'm an urban traveler and have to hit public transit connections fast.
A few things that I learned from my research and speaking with trainers from multiple schools. The first is make sure your O&M with a cane is solid. Know how to track traffic phases, use cardinal directions, etc. You should also make sure your technique with a cane is very refined. They will need a report from an O&M professional certifying that you can do all of this.
The other thing is make sure you live in an area and have activity patterns that would warrant the use of a dog. They won't give them out to people who won't be able to adequately work the dog. Being an independent traveler as a pedestrian/ public transit commuter was appealing to the schools I applied for.
The last big piece is financial. Dog schools are essentially free for most schools. The only school I've ever heard of charging is Seeing Eye, and it's $200 I believe. That is nothing compared to what it costs to pair and train you with a dog. Every other school is completely free, at least the schools I've applied for. They will pay your airfare both ways, lodging, food, dog, equipment, and everything else. However when you get out you have to support the dog yourself. You need to be able to cover food, veterinary care, and all other expenses. The estimates I saw were over $1000 a year to maintain a guide dog, and there is usually about a ten year working life before you are supposed to retire the dog.
There are a lot of positives and a lot of negatives. For me the positives vastly outweigh the negatives so I'm going forward with it. I've been thinking about this decision for several months now and finally decided to go with the recommendations I was getting. It's a lifestyle shift but it may be worth it for you. Hope this helped. Good luck!
A few things that I learned from my research and speaking with trainers from multiple schools. The first is make sure your O&M with a cane is solid. Know how to track traffic phases, use cardinal directions, etc. You should also make sure your technique with a cane is very refined. They will need a report from an O&M professional certifying that you can do all of this.
The other thing is make sure you live in an area and have activity patterns that would warrant the use of a dog. They won't give them out to people who won't be able to adequately work the dog. Being an independent traveler as a pedestrian/ public transit commuter was appealing to the schools I applied for.
The last big piece is financial. Dog schools are essentially free for most schools. The only school I've ever heard of charging is Seeing Eye, and it's $200 I believe. That is nothing compared to what it costs to pair and train you with a dog. Every other school is completely free, at least the schools I've applied for. They will pay your airfare both ways, lodging, food, dog, equipment, and everything else. However when you get out you have to support the dog yourself. You need to be able to cover food, veterinary care, and all other expenses. The estimates I saw were over $1000 a year to maintain a guide dog, and there is usually about a ten year working life before you are supposed to retire the dog.
There are a lot of positives and a lot of negatives. For me the positives vastly outweigh the negatives so I'm going forward with it. I've been thinking about this decision for several months now and finally decided to go with the recommendations I was getting. It's a lifestyle shift but it may be worth it for you. Hope this helped. Good luck!
coolfurrcats [OP] 1 points
Thanks! That was helpful, it's nice to hear a similar situation. I have some research to do.
geoffisblind 1 points
No problem, if you have any questions feel free to PM me, I'm figuring it out myself but I'm a little further along so I may be able to help.
cerealcable 2 points
With anything you should absolutely shop around for a guide dog as they're a significant change in your life. Ask what the schools train the dogs to do, what you're expected to pay for and what services they'll pick up in the long term.
I raised two guide dogs (neither made it, they loved too many other things) for two different schools. I have a brother who has a dog as well and he enjoys it but there are times he says a cane is easier and other times where the dog is easier.
As far as things I'd suggest to ask and by no means an exhaustive list:
* What do you train your dogs to do?
* What should I not expect from dogs from your school?
* What expenses will I need to cover?
* Who pays for room and board during training?
* Who pays for transportation to and from training?
* Who pays for the dog? Is it paid for by donations?
* Who covers veterinary care?
* What will be expected of me?
* What is the typical time frame?
As far as getting and making the most out of your dog, it's like anything in life. If you put effort into adjusting your life to accept a guide dog and learning to work together I think you'll find it useful. A dog will need attention and on going training. You should expect any school to expect this from you. If they don't mention it ask them about it.
If you're proactive you can really build a bond of trust with the dog and you'll be able to learn together how to help each other. All for the low cost of some attention and love those dogs will work tirelessly for you.
Feel free to ask questions! I can answer them from a different perspective though so hopefully this is helpful. I've only had second hand experiences since I'm sighted, but I've seen the amazing work these dogs do.
I raised two guide dogs (neither made it, they loved too many other things) for two different schools. I have a brother who has a dog as well and he enjoys it but there are times he says a cane is easier and other times where the dog is easier.
As far as things I'd suggest to ask and by no means an exhaustive list:
* What do you train your dogs to do?
* What should I not expect from dogs from your school?
* What expenses will I need to cover?
* Who pays for room and board during training?
* Who pays for transportation to and from training?
* Who pays for the dog? Is it paid for by donations?
* Who covers veterinary care?
* What will be expected of me?
* What is the typical time frame?
As far as getting and making the most out of your dog, it's like anything in life. If you put effort into adjusting your life to accept a guide dog and learning to work together I think you'll find it useful. A dog will need attention and on going training. You should expect any school to expect this from you. If they don't mention it ask them about it.
If you're proactive you can really build a bond of trust with the dog and you'll be able to learn together how to help each other. All for the low cost of some attention and love those dogs will work tirelessly for you.
Feel free to ask questions! I can answer them from a different perspective though so hopefully this is helpful. I've only had second hand experiences since I'm sighted, but I've seen the amazing work these dogs do.
Unuhi 0 points
Ask around.
Lots of guide dog users in twitter and in some facebook - and hopefully in the real life too.
I remember the names of my neighborsʻ dogs before theirs. Even if itʻs a regular puppy. Ask where people got their guide or service dogs.
Check what kind of other assistance dogs might work too - so for instance Iʻm a braille reader with dyslexia and very on the spectrum and can pass or fail most blind or o&m tests wt my will. (O&m fail? = bored = iʻm out of here... Iʻm sending intentionally very mixed messages in the real life) oh, and i can pass level 1 fingercharts in most latin based languages or always in 6-dot.
Some friends like Fidelco. Iʻd like one of those more towards blind/spectrum type dogs - also to use as a running buddy. (Short term memory...)
Lots of guide dog users in twitter and in some facebook - and hopefully in the real life too.
I remember the names of my neighborsʻ dogs before theirs. Even if itʻs a regular puppy. Ask where people got their guide or service dogs.
Check what kind of other assistance dogs might work too - so for instance Iʻm a braille reader with dyslexia and very on the spectrum and can pass or fail most blind or o&m tests wt my will. (O&m fail? = bored = iʻm out of here... Iʻm sending intentionally very mixed messages in the real life) oh, and i can pass level 1 fingercharts in most latin based languages or always in 6-dot.
Some friends like Fidelco. Iʻd like one of those more towards blind/spectrum type dogs - also to use as a running buddy. (Short term memory...)
bondolo 1 points
You are probably going to get the best advice here regarding consumer experiences but I should also mention that there is a subreddit for service dogs, /r/service_dogs. It's discussions are mostly about access, legal issues, etc.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.